Ron Artest’s Best Fashion Moments
It's an understatement to say that Ron Artest is not your average NBA player. You may not enjoy his on-court and off-court antics, but he's without question authentic and more often than not, memorable. Ron's self-confessed crazy seems to trickle down to his wardrobe at times, especially when he's a guest on late night television shows. If the clothes make the man, what does RonRon's wardrobe say about him?
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For his most recent late night appearance on Larry King, Ron's wardrobe gave the impression of a slightly more grown up version of the Lakers' defensive specialist. He wore a slightly over-sized navy suit and white shirt with a paisley tie that looks like it comes from the Craig Sager collection. Is Artest changing his style? Was it because he wanted Mr. King and the CNN audience to take what he was saying more seriously? After all, he is auctioning off his championship ring to help to mental health. And, of course, he was plugging his rap career. During his chat with Larry, I had to contemplate on where this outfit ranked on Ron's greatest late night garbs. Take a look, and let me know what you think.
RonRon is a regular on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Los Angeles-based late night talk show. (It should also be noted that Kimmel airs on ABC - the parent company to NBA broadcaster, ESPN). For his most recent visit with Jimmy before the season began, Ron went as random as possible: fake beard, cowboy hat, a t-shirt advertising his iPhone app, compression shorts, a sling backpack and socks with slippers. I really have not much to say about his outfit other than it was a disaster of epic yet entertaining proportions. You can't fault a man who also promotes his product - how many players actually wear their ap on their uhm, chest?
When the Lakers won the NBA championship last season, it was only fitting that they went on Jimmy Kimmel to celebrate. While the rest of his teammates took the opportunity to dress well but, Ron not surprisingly, skewed far too casual....bed time, casual. Ron wear a pair of Lakers' coloured argyle print pants, a Sports Enemy LA Rifle logo tee, a pair of black and yellow Nike Dunk High's and a Starwood Hotel's black hat. Instead of accessorizing with a more suitable item, like a watch or ring, Ron went straight to the BlueTooth headset. Does the man not understand he has voicemail on his phone? His excuse was pure Artest: "I didn't go to bed yet...I need to shower baaaad". Ron is repping his new home but he stays straight out of the hood, or maybe on the way to the grocery store with this look. The ensemble made an interesting compliment to Kobe Bryant's futuristic and Rick Ownes' designer jacket and shades. But it could be worse.
Chelsea Handler was another stop on the championship train for RonRon. She's known for her brutal sense of humor and love of chocolate (not the food). While Ron was excited about his new ring, he acted as though he wanted to put that ring on Ms. Handler's finger. His very bright patterned pants were covered in Chelsea's face, but why? “Well you know, I’ve been trying to get into your pants for a long time and I heard you were playing hard to get, so I had to put you on my pants“. She responded “Well you heard wrong because I am easy to get“. An entertaining interview, to say the least. Perhaps he also left his shoes at home so he could be even closer to Chelsea's small stature. The printed shirt is also ridiculous with the pants - although anything he wore would have clashed. It certainly made for an interesting interview and introduction for the two.
The most memorable of all Ron Artest's late night ensembles is without question, his boxers only appearance on Kimmel. Obviously, Artest is a favorite of Kimmel (with good reason) and I'm sure he gained more female fans with this wardrobe choice (malfunction?). Artest is the only athlete who could come out in only his underwear and fans wouldn't question his intent. He's always so enthusiastic and loves to entertain, so we can all sit back and enjoy his personality. Obviously he's just as open with his personality and mind as he is with his body! There's not a whole to say about this look as there isn't much to it garment wise, but nice boxers?
I would like to see Artest wear more of what he sported at Lamar and Khloe Kardashian's Odom's wedding. The black pinstripe suit fits him well and is classic, while the backwards New Era hat and loose tie screams that he's still the kid from Queensbridge. Personal style is all about showing yourself through your clothes and how you present yourself. I think this look is the perfect balance between the Los Angeles ball player and the New York guy from the "hood". Ron is proud of his roots and I don't think he should ever deny it or stop being himself. Keep thanking your psychiatrist, stealing Wheaties' boxes and guarding opposing players with your life, RonRon - just please, if you feel like doing it in better fabrics and in a well-fitting clothes - call me. I promise not to dress you in leather or fur, as I know you're a PETA spokeperson as well. Your signature style deserves to be as on point as your enthusiasm for life and the game of basketball.
Championship Time
Who doesn't want to be like Mike? For the most part, the average fan can afford to buy his Jordan shoes, wear his Hanes' t-shirts and drink his Gatorade. But what if you could own a personalized gift from MJ? If you have a spare $16,250 kicking around, you could be telling time like a champion in yellow gold.
Earlier this month, a Paltek Phillippe Calatrava model wristwatch that belonged to former Bulls assistant coach Tex Winter sold well above its $12,000 estimated value at Sotheby's "Important Watches and Clocks" auction in New York. The watch was a gift from Jordan to Winter after the Bulls won the 1997-1998 championship - MJ's last ring. It was purchased on Christmas Eve, 1997 (such foresight). The back plate of the watch is inscribed with "Thanks, MJ" and went up for auction after Winter suffered a stroke last year. The watch is 18 karat gold and a similar model today costs between $14,000 and $18,000 - without Michael's magic touch.
For those unfamiliar, Tex Winter is the innovator of the triangle offense, while Phil Jackson perfected it. Winter earned nine rings alongside Jackson with the Bulls and the Lakers. He rose prominence perfecting the triangle offense at Kansas State University and coached at Marquette, Northwestern, Long Beach State and Washington.
His Airness even mentioned Winter during his retirement speech in 2001, "...Tex Winter probably [was] the most [important teacher], because he was probably the one that would criticize my game more than anybody. To me that's a plus, that's a driving force for me." Definitely a rare piece of history for the greatest Jordan fan. No word if LeBron or Kobe bought it as championship motivation as the buyer bought it by phone. Would you spend roughly the cost of down-payment on house on an accessory? What would MJ do?
Hit or Miss: Brian Wilson's Man-scaping Story
The playoff beard is nothing new in hockey, but in the MLB, it's still a new sensation. I really took notice of Giants' closer Brian Wilson's interesting man-scaping situation during the Giants vs. Braves National League Divisional Series. It's an understatement to say his beard and haircut combination is unique, especially considering the usual grooming standard in professional baseball. But is it a little too much for Bud Selig and the MLB?
To break down Wilson's man-scaping, let's start with his haircut. Wilson sports a modified mohawk. It's not short and amateurish like we've seen on the Tampa Bay Rays, but rather it's more mullet-esque in length and a little dirt bag in its styling. Contrary to popular belief - the mohawk is his natural light brown colour, no bleach or dye.
Wilson started growing the beard back in August and kept in its natural brunette state for the summer. When the playoff push in September hit, he dyed it pitch black (although he won't openly admit it). It's now a dark, thick beard that any grisly lumberjack or hockey player would be envious of come playoff season. Fans are turning the scruff into a cult figure by sporting faux beards and signs and even re-jigged the Milwaukee Bucks' "FEAR THE DEER" cheer into, naturally, "FEAR THE BEARD". Apparently the man-scaping isn't serious business for the MLB regular season save leader:
"I'm just rocking a beard, keeping it fun," Wilson said. "I had a beard in 2007, but I had to shave it because I got sent down. I just never grew it back. I just said it was bad luck. Not this year. I wouldn't say the beard got us here, but I wore it here." (From Janine McCauley's CP piece).
Wilson's original take on grooming isn't the only thing that makes him stand out in the clubhouse as his overall sartorial sense is not standard. In Wilson's appearance in the 2010 All-Star Game this year, he wore a pair of bright creamsicle orange cleats and again versus Florida Marlins the next game.
His shoes were obviously not regulation and thanks to Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez's complaints, the National League fined Wilson for one thousand dollars for "wearing non-conforming shoes and was told that half of each shoe had to be black". Damn. Wilson says the fine was for "being too awesome", not for disobeying dresscode. He's kept wearing the overt orange shoes ever since, colouring them in with black sharpie to adhere to the uniform rule in his own way. Oh, and he's also a certified ninja - if you haven't seen the Jim Rome interview with Wilson, it's a must see.
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The MLB needs more guys like Brian Wilson. Most baseball players come off as guarded or even dull during interviews and in such a long season, some variety isn't just nice - it's necessary. Fans and media members warm to players who show their own personality and can make them smile with more than just an amazing pitch. Ron Artest went from being seen as a bad, psycho teammate to being a player whose honesty about his psychological shortcomings and zest for life now endears him to all. Jared Allen's once crazy haircut (he cut the mullet for his wedding), hunting cookbook and general mayhem earns him legions of fans because he is honest. Patrick Roy is as well known for his play between the pipes as he was for talking to them while in net.
Let Brian Wilson keep his black beard, long mohawk, bright orange shoes, slightly over the top save celebrations and of course, his fastball, because a player with his talent, wit and humour can only help a team on the field and in the clubhouse. While he's quite handsome without the beard, as a Canadian girl I'm more than accustomed to the hockey boys' obsession with the facial hair playoff good luck charm. Let's go Giants and let Brian be the black-bearded ninja; because when he's on the mound, he's still the man to count on.
Chris Bosh's Complex (Magazine) Style
Chris Bosh is quickly becoming a publicity machine. Even before Bosh took his own talents to South Beach to form the new trio consisting of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James for the Miami Heat, he was everywhere. There were appearances on Entourage and late night talk shows, sitting court side at the NBA Finals and most recently, he's been flexing his style muscle at New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week before training camp began. He's completely revamped his personal style, reflecting his new imagine in the press. Gone are the dreads, crazy baby momma and ill-fitting garments in his wardrobe. Now, Bosh is all about clean lines both in his hair and in his clothing as well as his petite new fiancé, Adrienne Williams. It's as if when he was in Toronto, Bosh was a boy and now Miami (perhaps thanks to his teammates' influence) has made him into a man.
- Chris Bosh and fiancé Adrienne Williams on HBO's Entourage. Photo credit: Dime Mag/HBO.
Bosh is back on the fashion tip again, this time for Complex Magazine. He played model and muse for a shoot with photographer Dania Graibe in Miami. Bosh has two outfits, one that's all casual basketball gear in Heat red, black and white and the other is a more fashionable look ensemble better suited to off-day fun than on court play. No word when the shoot comes out, as Complex posts all their content online along with a monthly print edition of the magazine. Likely, the full shoot will début in the November issue once the season is underway. What do you think Bosh's look? Should he keep up his new look and play model more often? Check out the video below and let me know what you think.
Style Seeker: Black Diamond Bracelets
Get your fatigues on, all black everything, Black cards, black cars, all black everything.
Jay-Z "Run This Town", featuring Rihanna & Kanye West
A few simple lines from a verse is all it took for the menswear masses to follow Jay-Z's example and go for the now infamously titled, all black everything look. "Murdered out": black on top of black on top of MORE black is not a new concept, but since Hova went all monochrome it's popular again. Not only are there black cards and cars, but all black accessories: hats, sunglasses, sneakers and of course, jewelry. A black matte ceramic watch is a statement piece but the one accessory that's really taken off for men, and especially NBA athletes, is the black diamond beaded bracelet.
Sean Carter himself really brought the black diamond bead bracelet to the forefront right around the time his latest album, The Blueprint 3, dropped. He's worn the bracelets in every editorial he's appeared in and wears them in almost every paparazzi photo. His signature model is the Shamballa Jewels' black diamond pavé bead bracelet. The company preaches that their pieces will "invite the possibility of connecting to the energy of creation". Whether or not Mr. Carter wears it for spiritual or fashionable reasons or both; the bracelets make a style statement. The designs are simple but beautiful and luxe due to the materials being used. Shamballa took a basic idea, the spiritual bead bracelet, and made it special and marketable because a high-end crowd wants something high quality. While it's hard to an exact price on the bracelets, similar models go from $4000 to upwards of $40,000 depending on the amount of black diamonds or onyx used in the design. I can only imagine what the cost is for a custom design item.
It's not all that surprising that NBA players, who use stylists who also work with A-List actors and musicians, have caught on to the black diamond craze. LeBron is still friends with Jay-Z, despite eschewing both the Nets and Knicks as options for the upcoming season. The King has worn the bracelets since last season. Recently, he wore a black diamond necklace at the Cowboys at Redskins game in Washington D.C.. Apparently, LeBron really likes black diamond everything.
Chris Bosh, who we saw at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this season, picked up on his teammate's style and has begun wearing the black diamond bead bracelets. I can understand players using the same stylists or admiring a friend's style, but isn't that complete style biting? Perhaps a leather bracelet or a more interesting option, like this Martin Margiela (another Jay-Z favorite brand) ring could help show off more of Bosh's personal style personality.
Brandon Jennings picked up a few bracelets for himself this summer as well. He's not only tweeted his love affair for his accesories, but wore them to the Under Armour basketball brand unveiling in New York City. The black diamonds do match his new shoe, the Micro G Black Ice, quite well, along with his black Camaro. David West is another fan of black diamonds and has worn them for sometime. I'm not sure if he's following someone else's style tips or found them on his own. There are more athletes, stars and stylists who wear the brand, but it's curious how so many of the most well-known NBA athletes are obsessing over this same trend.
Would you wear the bead bracelet? If the price disconcerts you, Oliver Smith has a similar model for a little less than $2000. Other black bead bracelets that are still stylish at a small price are available from online stores like Asos or you can pick up a beaded bracelet for under $5 in Chinatown or off of eBay. Either way, it looks like the beaded bracelet is here to stay, at least until the H-O-V picks a new signature accessory. We'll see if the NBA follows suit yet again. Only time and good stylist, will tell!